PW's Year of Beer: Carton Something Like Sandy

We love beer. That's why we're devoting an entire year to discovering (and drinking) cold ones from near and far. Know of a beer worth shouting out? Send us a note at tips@philadelphiaweekly.com.

If you want an example of salvaging a positive out of a negative, this is it. When Hurricane Sandy hit, New Jersey’s Carton Brewing were partway through the production of a sour stout. The storm forced them to sour it a week longer than intended. The resulting brew was delicious all the same. Something Like Sandy is an attempt to recreate that happy accident. Brewed with the same “mistakes” as the first time around, this beer’s dark color hides light roast, chocolate, tart cherries, and lactic sourness that is better to drink than it is to describe. A cup of coffee with a lemon-tinged sourness may not sound appealing on paper, but in practice this wonderfully approachable sour stout is a real eye opener. Grab some before it’s gone at Lucky’s Last Chance and Bainbridge St. Barrel House.